Fête du Bois du Temple 2015 - The Day Dawns

We were invited across to the Bois du Temple to have some breakfast before the start of the Balade, but, having already eaten, we just had a coffee (though we noted wine was an option!)

 It fell to the Maire to gather the troops...

And as there were no maps of the route left we photographed someone elses, though all we needed to do was go with the flow.

After some confusion over who should go first and in what order, we were off

and the first place en route was Richelieu..

Then out into the open; if you look carefully (very carefully) you can just make out the line of cars ahead of us...

This couple were on motorised bikes but they still had a fair bit of pedaling to do and they were no youngsters!

Here we are entering Marcay

where the degustation was awaiting us. We got the impression that they were not expecting quite so many people...

 and once again it was up to the Maire to sort it all out.

A megaphone wasn't enough and someone had the bright idea of providing a ladder..

Half the crowd were enticed on a walk around the village whilst the other half chose their tipple.. (Note the nearly full/unopened bottles of water...!)

Back to the cars again....

and off towards Ligre..

All along the route people were out at the roadside to wave... 

 Not far from home now,,

We were approaching Braslou..

and even the chef of the restaurant was out to wave!

And after 60 kilometers we were back in the Bois du Temple, where we'd started, 

For some, it had all been just too much!!

What a great day! We met lots of our friends from the village and beyond and also two people from the village, but who we'd never met before, each invited us to their homes to share a meal.

Beat that for conviviality!

Fête du Bois du Temple 2015 - An Advertisement...

Advertising is quite the hot topic at the moment, so we thought we'd get this one in before there is a complete ban.....

So if anyone fancies a day out in Braye this Sunday, give us a call and we'll put the kettle on!

Fête Champêtre du Bois du Temple 2013

Braye-sous-Faye's annual event, the Fête Champêtre du Bois du Temple, was held today and we went along with our friends Jim and Pauline.

This year, as well as a multitude of brocante and vide grenier stalls, the display of old cars was back. 

After a morning coffee we took a stroll around the various stalls which, surprisingly, had a different selection of 'goods' than we are used to seeing at these events. Elizabeth made several purchases, primarily frames to display her cards and pictures for a brocante she is taking part in with friend Jean later in the year.

After lunch we returned for a tour around the old vehicles...

There were several 2CV's on display and this interesting 'derivative' caught our attention. Jim thought we should have had ours there, but ours is to use not to show! 

This was followed by the entertainment... Over dressed Brazilian dancers

and a very gravelly voiced singer.

Maybe if we had waited for the next performance the dancers clothing could have been more like this. Unfortunately it rained...

The event is usually rounded off in the evening by a firework display which is in the field right opposite our house. Will it be on tonight?

Surprise Act...

Friends and family who are familiar with Braye might be a little surprised by the choice of entertainment for the forthcoming Fete du Bois du Temple. This annual event is held, as its name suggests in the Bois du Temple, a normally tranquil piece of woodland opposite the house...

For one day a year the wood comes alive when the brocante stalls are set out for the Fete..

Some years, including this year, a "Balade de Voitures Anciennes" is held..

The event is the highlight of the year for an otherwise sleepy village. All the more reason why the choice of entertainment may surprise. To see what it is click here

SURPRISED?! 

No doubt we will (or more correctly, Colin will) be taking plenty of photos next Sunday when the event is held.